FDOT To Fast Track I-4 Reconstruction, Other State Projects

ORLANDO, FL — Furthering Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction to accelerate transportation projects across Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation is expediting significant portions of the Interstate 4 Ultimate Project in Orlando.

With the ability to increase lane closures and extend work hours because of the reduction in traffic as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the FDOT plans to complete segments of the westbound general use lanes and their connection to the State Road 408 interchange by this summer, which is one to two months earlier than originally scheduled. This acceleration will also provide much-needed jobs throughout Central Florida.

“The department completely understands that I-4 is a major artery within our state’s transportation system and delivering these significant portions of the I-4 Ultimate Project is a huge win for Florida’s residents and economy,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault. “We are thrilled to accelerate as many segments of the project as possible so Central Florida residents can experience enhanced mobility on the corridor once we return to normal after COVID-19.”

The $2.3 billion I-4 Ultimate project will reconstruct 21 miles of I-4 from west of Kirkman Road to east of State Road 434 in Longwood. The specific segments of the I-4 Ultimate project that will be accelerated include:

• Segments of Westbound I-4 through downtown Orlando.
• Portions of the SR 408 interchange.

Acceleration of work in these areas will put more lanes of westbound I-4 into final configuration, reduce the number of construction sequences that would have occurred, and greatly reduce congestion through the most heavily traveled interchange within the I-4 Ultimate project.

No additional costs will be incurred or paid to accelerate these work activities.

Following the governor's direction, the FDOT is accelerating $2.1 billion in other projects as well.

“The governor understands that Florida’s transportation system is the backbone of our economy and FDOT is proud to accelerate projects, which will help expedite goods to market and provide much-needed jobs throughout the state,” said Thibault. “Safety is our top priority, so we will continue to ensure that employees have the sanitation supplies needed to follow the guidance from the CDC and work with our industry partners to implement these same precautions to keep workers safe and healthy.”

Among the accelerated projects are:

• The $864 million Howard Frankland Bridge project in Tampa Bay area will be accelerated by nearly four weeks.
• The widening of Southern Boulevard (State Road 80) in western Palm Beach County will be accelerated by nearly three months.
• In Miami-Dade, the I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design Build Project is an $802 million reconstruction project being done in coordination with the local expressway authority that will be accelerated by four weeks.
• The project at Sand Lake Road (State Road 482) near the heavy tourist area of International Drive and Universal Boulevard in Orlando will be accelerated by four to six weeks.

Several other projects include:

• Phase one of construction on the U.S. 1 Cow Key Bridge in Monroe County in Southeast Florida will be accelerated by one week.
• Paving along I-75 at the State Road 70 Interchange in Manatee County will be accelerated by two weeks.
• Paving, widening and signal upgrades along State Road 951 in southern Collier County will be accelerated by four weeks.
• The 23rd Street Flyover project at the intersection of U.S. 98 and 23rd Street in Bay County in Northwest Florida will be accelerated by one week.
• The Diverging Diamond Interchange on State Road 200 (A1A) at Interstate 95 in Nassau County, the first of its kind in Northeast Florida, will be accelerated by two months.

Courtesy FDOT